Description
Join naïve, outsider, and mostly self-taught artist Melanie Hodge for a day in her home studio and gallery. Melanie has been working in reverse oils on glass since 2010 when she first met the celebrated Croatian Naïve artist Ivica Fišter. Her home gallery includes original works by him alongside several other contemporary naïve artists while her library features a number of books introducing artists and styles from the past. For anyone searching for their creative voice, wanting to experience the world through naïve eyes, curious about art history from an outsider’s perspective, or looking to add a new technical skill to their kit bag … this experience is for you.
During the first part of your time together, Melanie will introduce you to a brief history of the Croatian naïve tradition, touching on other European and North American artists of note. She will also introduce you to a variety of practical techniques for reverse oil painting on glass, pointing out everyday examples from reverse sign writing to decorative gilding on glass (ie mirror making) and giving insights into the ways different artists have approached the medium, from Thomas Gainsborough to the anonymous miniature painters of the Rennaissance and Georgia O’Keefe’s studio mate. As a mostly self-taught artist and carer, you will also gain insights into Melanie’s studio practice: the things that inspire her, her approach to creativity as a way of maintaining good mental health, and how she blends the lines between being a naïve, outsider, and professional artist … and balances that with her caring responsibilities.
In addition, you will get the opportunity to learn how to paint on glass yourself through two guided painting activities. In the first activity, you will learn to find the glass and apply the paint through a variety of brush strokes and blending techniques. This sampler piece concept is inspired by Melanie’s own first experience of painting on glass and when finished you will have a uniquely original piece featuring both yours and Melanie’s work together. The second activity will allow you to apply the lessons learned in creating the sampler piece to a finished work suitable for displaying on black velvet or framing. As oil paints can take several days to dry, this will not be a complete painting, but an image suspended on blank glass which will show off your new skills.
Extras:
Note that works will not be dry by the time you leave. All works will be supplied with their own custom size gift/ display box for safe transport, storage, and display. Anyone wishing to leave work to dry before transporting it will be offered free shipping, please allow 4-6 weeks for follow on delivery depending on colours used. Participants wanting to continue working in the medium at home will receive a supply list and framing instructions in addition to follow up support via email/phone for 6 months
AVAILABILITY
Monday – Friday 10-5 pm
REQUIREMENTS
All materials provided / All levels welcome / No previous art experience required
Suitable for ages 14 and over / Not DBS checked so children must have a guardian stay
Ability to work with small brushes recommended, ie. painting activities are not suitable for someone who has trouble holding a pencil for long periods of time. The programme could be adapted for those interested in swapping a practical experience for an extended demonstration where they keep the work Melanie does during their experience.
DURATION
Experience Duration:
6hrs
Time at Venue:
6hrs
This experience includes a light lunch with special diets catered for – coffee/tea/water throughout day
GROUP SIZE & SPECTATORS
Additional participants +£50 pp
Max group size – 4
Spectators Allowed on Site:
On request
This is a private art class where you will receive one to one tuition from Melanie Hodge. There
will be no other participants in the class with you.
If you would like to bring a spectator along, please request this upon booking.
LOCATION
Burgess Hill, West Sussex
RH15 8QY
ACCESSIBILITY
Free parking available
Single small step from drive to patio and from patio into house. Ground floor loo is not accessible via wheelchair due to narrow hall and doorway.
WHAT TO WEAR
Wear clothing you are ok to get oil paint on.
WEATHER
This art experience should not be affected by the weather.
